A regional trail loop connecting Rehoboth Beach with Lewes was completed this summer, and July 13 officials celebrated.

While cyclists had already enjoyed the trail for more than a month, the ribbon was only cut for a 1.6 mile portion of the Junction & Breakwater Trail Monday. The 1.6 mile addition brings the trail up to six miles long, but that is only a piece of the regional 15-mile loop that will allow cyclists to travel around the region without doubling back.

The Gordon's Pond Trail opened up last year, completing an integral part of the regional loop that crosses marshland. But until the Junction & Breakwater Trail was completed, cyclists were forced onto Gill's Neck Road to make the loop, which was stressful for some.

"It was always a little dangerous to try to maneuver with the traffic," Lewes resident Sue Townsend said. "We're very happy we finally have a safe trail we can bike on."

Having a long trail to bike with only a small portion on roadways is important because it gives new cyclists a place to practice and get better, Sussex Cyclists President John Kurpjuweit said.

"One of the things that keeps people from riding longer and getting healthier is the fear of the traffic on the road," he said.

While more experienced riders are used to biking down busy streets, Kurpjuweit said for beginners finding long rides, more than just a few miles, in places other than a neighborhood is essential.

"Anytime someone can establish one of those routes, particularly one as beautiful as this, we're making people healthier, we're improving the quality of life in the area and we're going to get more and more people coming here," he said.

During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, multiple officials said they were seeing an increase in tourism as a result of the state's trail network. Gov. Jack Markell said the Gordons Pond trail, which spans Cape Henlopen State Park, is beautiful enough to sway people to come to Delaware, as opposed to other east coast states.

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A map of the regional loop that connects Rehoboth and Lewes.(Photo: Staff Photo by Rachael Pacella)

Markell's Trails and Pathway initiative was also lauded during the ceremony.

"It is great to live in a state where (cycling) is recognized as a form of transportation," Kurpjuweit said. "Not like some places where bicycles are looked at as toys."

The construction of the latest portion of trail took about a year and cost $1.2 million, with 80 percent of funds coming from the federal government and 20 percent coming form the state. The Delaware River and Bay Authority donated 3.5 acres of land and Bill and Brice Lingo donated 2.8 acres.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control's Secretary David Small also spoke, thanking the many partners that made the trail happen, but also discussing the importance of Delaware's 550 miles of trail in getting people outdoors and spending time together.

"Those values are both economic and they are personal, and you can't put a value on some of them," Small said.

The Delaware Department of Transportation was also a key player in the trail's construction.

The Junction & Breakwater Trail crosses multiple habitats, from hardwood and conifer forests to open fields and marshland. It also includes an 80-foot railroad bridge crossing, with views of a World War II observation tower.

A trail heads can be found at the Seaside Tanger Outlets and off Wolfe Neck Road.